The John Terry racism row was reignited on Saturday night when his teammate and defence witness Ashley Cole was attacked on Twitter - with the alleged victim's brother Rio Ferdinand laughingly reacting.

Manchester United defender Rio, who played with Terry at the heart of England's defence and whose parents attended every day of the five-day trial in support of his brother, replied: "I hear you fella!

"Choc ice is classic! hahahahahahha!!"

Users began discussing the comments and reacting to them and Ferdinand wrote: "And if I want to laugh at something someone tweets....I will! Hahahahaha! Now stop getting ya knickers in a twist!"

Cole moved to calm the situation down and issued a statement through his lawyers.

It said: "Ashley Cole has been made aware of the discussion following comments appearing on Twitter and wishes to make it clear that he and Rio Ferdinand are good friends and Ashley has no intention of making any sort of complaint.

"Ashley appreciates that Tweeting is so quick it often results in off-hand and stray comments."

Rio, who unlike Terry was left out of the England squad that went to Euro 2012, later referenced the Blues centre half's legal defence by tweeting he was being sarcastic.

The "choc ice" response was apparently deleted.

Earlier on Saturday, the Football Association was urged to punish John Terry despite the Chelsea captain being cleared of hurling racial abuse at another player.